“Now, can we have something to eat?” sniffled Firetop when it was over. Limberleg looked at Hawk-Eye. “We can’t send them back alone,” she said. Firetop saw that they were going to give in.
“The hyenas would surely get us,” he said plaintively. “We’re pretty small to go back alone,” sobbed Firefly. “And besides, we want to see what lies beyond the blue hills across the river.”
It may be that Hawk-Eye was a little pleased at their courage in following them. Anyway, he said: “Well, you can climb like squirrels. We shall not be gone many days. Come along.” Firetop sprang up and whooped for joy. Firefly turned a somersault. Hawk-Eye and Limberleg laughed. They couldn’t help it. You see, even in those early times parents were fond of their children, although they didn’t know any better punishment for them than spankings. There are some parents like that yet.
“Now, what shall we have to eat?” said Firefly, when everybody was happy again.
“We’ll have to find something,” said Hawk-Eye to Limberleg. “You take the children down into the meadow. I see carrots growing down there. I’ll hunt in the woods. Listen for my call, and when you hear it, come to that big oak tree as fast as you can.”
Limberleg and the Twins started at once down the bluff toward the river. The bushes grew thick along the slope, and as they scrambled through them they made a crashing noise. Firetop was ahead, then came Firefly, and last of all Limberleg.
Suddenly there was a loud whirring sound, and out of the bushes in front of them flew a great wood grouse!
Instantly Firetop braced himself and flung his spear, and before Limberleg or Firefly could catch up with him, he was far
beyond them down the slope, struggling with the wounded bird. When they reached him, he had killed it. Limberleg was delighted. She patted Firetop and called him a great hunter, and said she was glad he had come with them after all.